Folding chair



May 27, 1941,. I FREEDMAN,

Patented May 27, 1941 .nr offl-Gi F-OLDJN G CHAIB lHarry A. Frccdman, New York, N. Y. Application January 13, 1939, Serial VNo.2503232 1 lolaim. (ol. 1555;.1'39.)

This invention' relates to folding or collapsible chairs commonly-known as the-beach 'or steamer type, and "the primary object of the same .is to provide atlightifolding Chair of relatively simple yet .strong lanrlzrugged construction which will fold veasily 'and vquickly in one motion into :an unusually .compact bundle.

The 'chair embodying ithe features 'of the present inventi'on Vmay ``be considerediin' theinature of an .improvem'ent over that 'discl'osed in .Patent No. 2,072,075 granted February .23, 1937 Ito L. C. Travers et al. ;A compact foldis of 'considera'ble importance .in chairs of this type, since it 'reduces .the shipping c'Osts, requires less storage space, and results ina marked convenience .in use, .particularly when the chair is tobe-carried from one place toanother in the compartment of anfautomobile or simiIar vehicle. The chair of the above Vpatent when folded occupies more space with regard-to `widththan the `chair of the present application.

The present c'har also em-bodies features of improvefment vwith respeot to the fabric seat and back proper, the arrangement 'being such as to promote ease in folding-and to avoid any possible interference 'of partsof the c'h'ar during the folding Operation. Means are also provided to also ensure a-'gainst rupture of the fabric seat by the sudden application of an -unus'ually heavy load and to avoid' premature wear of the said seat.

With the forego-ing and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the preferred construction and arrangement of the several parts which Will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a chair constructed in accordance with the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is another perspective but viewed from a different angle; and

Fig, 3 is a further perspective of the chair in folded or collapsed condition.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the chair comprises front legs or leg frames 5 and Sa which at their upper ends are pivotally connected to rear legs or leg frames 6 and Ga through the medium of pivot pins 1.

At their outer ends, each of these pvot pins extends through the slot 8 of a ratchet plate 9 connected to the forward end of each of a pair of arms l0 and lOa. Each of these ratchet plates is formed with a series of adjusting notches ll open to the slot 8, there being three of these notches in each plate as shown in the present instance. The preferred monner of mounting the lplates 9 is to slot the arms l'and tila at 'theirforward ends and insert the plates in said slots and secure them in position through themedium of a rivet l2. Thevp'ivot pins `l are provided with heads [3 to retain them in their respective-Slots.

The back frame rest comprises side rails or like members M and lita, which at an intermediate point are pivota-lly connected to the rear ends of the arm rests 'I 0 and Illathrough the medium of pivot pins i5. At their upper ends the side rails M and Ma are connected by a cross 'rod 16 and at their lower ends by a similar rod 7llo, thelatter rod also projecting through the rear end of the seat frameside-rails l'l and Ha, thereby pivotally Connecting the lower end ofthe back rest frame with the rear end of the seat frame. The opposite ends of the rod 15m project beyond the back rest side rails to provide dowels l`8. At their front ends the seat side rails are pivotally connected to the front legs 5 and lia by means-of. a cross rod i9.

' Combined with the ratchet plate connection and adjustment is aswinging brace arrangement comprising relatively heavy Wire members 7Zll and tila, each of which has one end pivotally connected to anv adjacent rear leg frame as at 21% and at its opposite end is provided with an eye or loop which pivotal'ly or rotatably engages over the ad'jacent dewel lt. Whenfthe chair is in setup position, the members 20 and tila Swing upwardly and come to rest on the rear legs 6 and Ba. i

To ensure ease and compactness in folding, the upper extremities of the front leg frames and the lower extremities of the back rest side rails in conjunction with the arm rests and seat side rails should form opposite sides of a substantially parallelogram-shaped frame structure with the rear legs constituting a dagonal of the paralllelogram; and in conjunction With this arrangement, the back rest and front leg portions should pro- J'ect beyond their pivot points with the arm rests and seat frame, respectively, to an extent approximating the length of the arm rests, and the rear legs should project beyond the rear lower corner of the parallelogram approximately the length of two adjacent sides of the parallelogram.

The iback and seat rest proper comprises a single length of fabric 2l`, which at its upper end is looped over the head cross rod lii and at its opposite end is looped over seat frame cross rod 19, which latter rod not only connects the front ends of the seat side rails ll and lia but also pivotally connects these rails with the front leg frames 5 and 5a. The intermediate portion of the strip 2l is preferably left free and the seat portion proper is backed or supported by a cross strip 23, providing a double seat. At the back another cross strip or kidney Strap 24 is provided. The cross strip 23 is wrapped at its opposite ends around the Seat side rails 11 and Ha and secured thereto while the cross strip 24 is wrapped around the back side rails M and Ma and suitably secured thereto. By means of a fabric seat and back Supporting structure of this type, there is no interference with the folding Operation of the chair. Hotvever, the strips 23 and 24, and particularly the strip 23, should be relatively broad So as to provide adequate Support for the seat and back.

To further reinforce the seat proper, a Strap 23a is applied beneath the rear edge portion of the strip 23 at a point where the greatest weight is normally imposed on the seat by an occupant and also at a point which will ensure against tearing and premature giving away of the strip 23. This Strap by its particular location ensures against rupture of the fabric seat by the Sudden application of an unusally heavy load.

The lower ends of the leg frames 5 and 5a are preferably connected by a cross rod or brace 25, and the lower ends of the rear leg frames 6 and Ba are also connected by a similar cross rod 26.

The chair may be folded in one motion either from the front or back. Assuming the chair is to be folded from the front, it is only necessary to grasp the arms and lift upwardly thereon and simultaneously the weight of the respective parts causes the parts to Collapse. To facilitate this folding Operation, the chair may be pulled slightly forward against the person folding the chair. Once the back rest frame has swung past the pivot connections of the links with the rear legs, the chair automatically collapses to the position shown in Fig. 3.

Conversely to set up the chair, it is only necessary to grasp the back rest frame and raise upwardly thereon, whereupon the parts automatically come to the desired set-up position.

By referring to Fig. 3, the unusual compactness which permits the frames to fold into a relative short compass or unit of fold of the improved chair will be readily observed particularly with respect to Width. Thus the front and rear legs substantially align themselves laterally of the chair when the latter is folded, permitting the arm rests to le snugly against the folded front aeeasoa and rear legs or leg frames. There are only two tiers with respect to Width in contradistinction to three as in the Travers patent heretofore noted. This is due in part to the fact that the front and rear legs at their upper ends are pivoted in Overlapping relation or have a "scissors connection. The particular method of connecting the back frame to the rear legs by the swinging members 20 and 20a in combination with the freely slidng pivotal connection atthe ratchet and also in connection with the particular manner of mounting the fabric seat and back promotes unusual ease in folding. The chair is also light in Weight, yet is of unusually strong and rugged construction, a feature of considerable importance in chairs of this type.

It Willbe understood that certain changes in construction and design may be adopted without departing from the spirit or Scope of the invention as defined by the appended claim.

VVhat is claimed is:

A folding chair including rear leg members and a back frame of approximately equal length, front leg members pivotally assembled with a seatframe and arm rests to form with said back frame an approximate parallelogram movably supported on said rear legs on each side of the chair when it is set up whereby the chair when collapsed will provide a group of Overlapping relatively short folding frames forming a relatively short compass or unit whose overall length approximately equals that of said rear leg member, means adjustably connecting the outer ends of said arm rests With the upper ends of said front legs whereby the angle of the back frame may be adjusted when in use, said means comprising a depending fiat slotted ratchet plate rigidly embedded in and projecting below the front portion of each arm rest, pivot members Connecting the upper end portion of each of said front legs and the upper end portion of each of said rear legs, each of Said pivot members being slidably held in a notch of one of said ratchet plates, an integral fabric strip forming a seat and back of said chair, means Swingably Connecting the lower end of the back frame with the rear legs and positioned in a manner Whereby the folding and unfolding of the chair assembly will become automatic as soon as the back rest frame has been swung past the vertcal plane of the pivot connections of said swingable means with said rear legs. i

HARRY A. FREEDMAN. 

